A sloth has recently become the center of attention among hundreds of motorists in Quevedo, Ecuador. The scared animal was hanging on to its life as people took the time to admire and take photos of it.

Independent wrote that the adorable long-haired sloth clung to a motorway barrier. Transit Commission officers in the country discovered the animal as thousands of photos surfaced on social media sites. The sloth curiously watched the officials as they tried to find a solution on how to deal with it.

The photos of the cute sloth have spread all over the Internet. Its images were shared over 11,000 times and garnered over 39,000 likes. The photos detailed how the sloth seemed to have explored further beyond its normal boundaries, ending up at the motorway barrier. It may have been scared of all the vehicles and noise and decided to cling on the metal to survive. More images showed the officers slowly approaching the animal as it continued to peer at them as if asking for help.

International Business Times wrote that the Transit Commission later commented on the post, reassuring locals and social media users that the sloth has been safely returned to its home after having been checked by a veterinarian. Some people found that the sloth seemed to have wandered onto the motorways, which intruded its original natural habitat. The officers added that they are grateful for the interest and concern that people have shown towards the animal.

A number of social media users congratulated the officers for taking care of the animal and preserving urban wildlife. Others stated that urban designers should provide a biological corridor for various animal species for their protection. Awareness should be increased among people to preserve any form of wildlife.

International Business Times also cited that sloths have few natural predators. Although they are threatened by harpy eagles and jaguars, man is still the number one threat. Sloths are killed by humans for food or to have their heads shrunk for ceremonial reasons. Humans also continue to destroy forests, which are the main natural habitats of sloths.

Sloths have a very slow metabolic rate so they do not need to eat a lot. They can also sleep for 10 hours daily. Baby sloths usually remain with their mothers until they are about six to seven months old. Sloths are native to Latin America and are known for their slow movement and long claws.